Vitamin D, the renin-angiotensin system, and insulin resistance

International Urology and Nephrology volume 40, pages419–426(2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Insulin resistance is characterized by the systemic impairment of insulin action and is usually the result of aging, obesity, chronic inflammation, or another factor that may contribute to the inhibition of the insulin signaling pathway. Insulin resistance is accompanied by defects in lipid metabolism and blood coagulation, hypertension, obesity, and vascular inflammation in a syndrome called syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is involved in the development of atherosclerosis with consequent cardiovascular complications including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular disease. Recent data have shown that vitamin D acts as a negative regulator of the renin gene and that vitamin D deficiency is followed by increased renin-angiotensin II expression. The link between the insulin signaling pathway/insulin resistance and the renin-angiotensin system has been well documented in previous studies. The present review focuses on disorders characterized by a reduction in vitamin D concentration or its receptor function and the development of insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, and discusses also possible therapeutic interventions.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital of Athens, “Alexandra”, Athens, Greece

    George Rammos

  2. Renal Unit, General Hospital of Athens, “Alexandra”, Alexandroupoleos 48, Athens, 115 27, Greece

    Paraskevi Tseke

  3. Nephrology Department, General Hospital of Athens, “Red Cross”, Athens, Greece

    Stavroula Ziakka

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  1. George Rammos
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  2. Paraskevi Tseke
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Correspondence to Paraskevi Tseke.

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Rammos, G., Tseke, P. & Ziakka, S. Vitamin D, the renin-angiotensin system, and insulin resistance. Int Urol Nephrol 40, 419–426 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-007-9244-4

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Keywords

  • Hypertension
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • UV exposure
  • Vitamin D receptor